The Lindsay Park operation aims to enhance its notable history in the Australian Cup as Apulia lines up for the 2000m feature this Saturday.
Trainers such as Colin Hayes, David Hayes, Peter Hayes, Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig are etched on the list of past victors in the Australian Cup, and now Will and J D Hayes seek to join that distinguished group this weekend.
Ben, Will and J D Hayes have entered Apulia in the Group 1 event, where the horse aims to spring a small surprise.
The Australian Cup has produced surprise winners before, like Dandy Andy in 1988, Roman Arch at $51 in 2006, and Harlem’s back-to-back triumphs in 2018 and 2019 at $61 and $31, which marked the initial two of Ben Hayes’ three successes in the race alongside his father David and Dabernig.
Apulia is quoted at $10 for Saturday, shorter than Harlem’s odds, but runners at double-digit prices have performed well lately in the Australian Cup.
Ben Hayes noted that Apulia arrives in top condition for the weekend assignment and will have William Pike aboard, the jockey who guided him to successive Perth wins over the summer, notably the Perth Cup (2400m) on January 1.
Back from Perth, Apulia was fifth to Birdman in the Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last month, then runner-up to the same rival in the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on March 14.
Blinkers return to Apulia’s equipment for this Saturday’s race.
“He hasn’t worn the headgear for a while, so we’ve put a set of blinkers on which may give us the extra couple of lengths that we need to catch Birdman,” Hayes said.
“I thought we ran well behind him at Caulfield. He had the easier run than us, as we had to go wide.
“He’s there to peak on Saturday. He loves Flemington and I think the 2000 metres is what he’s looking for.
“I think 2400 is his best trip with his win in the Perth Cup, and he was dominant, but at 2000, he’ll still be sharp enough and will be competitive.
“We’re hopeful and I think he’s a genuine top three chance in an Australian Cup, and it has been a good race to us over the years.”
Birdman is favourite at $3.70 with Tom Kitten next at $4.20.
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